Water-based propulsion system for CubeSats and small satellites — green, safe, and optimized for mass production with a 3-month lead time.
WaterCube Propulsion System
Water-based propulsion system for CubeSats and small satellites — green, safe, and optimized for mass production with a 3-month lead time.
Description
WaterCube is Capsule Corporation's flagship propulsion system, designed from the ground up for mass production and ease of integration. Using water as propellant, WaterCube eliminates the hazards and regulatory burden associated with pressurized and toxic propellants, making ground testing and satellite integration straightforward.
The system delivers 4 mN thrust with a specific impulse of 95–110 s (up to 135 s with higher power availability). WaterCube is modular: form factors range from 0.7U to 1.8U depending on propellant load, scaling to clustered configurations for larger smallsats.
Key features:
- Optimized for mass production: 3-month lead time from order
- Unpressurized water propellant: green, sustainable, and safe
- Miniaturized and lightweight: primary propulsion for CubeSat >3U
- Simple and modular: off-the-shelf components + 3D printed tanks
- Suitable for: de-orbiting, collision avoidance, orbit maintenance, formation flight, and attitude control
Performance:
- 3U spacecraft (5.5 kg): 160 Ns total impulse, 29.6 m/s delta-v, adds 1.5 years lifetime + 30 CAMs, saves ~€72k in operator costs
- 6U spacecraft (10.8 kg): 565 Ns, 53.8 m/s delta-v, adds 2.0 years + 30 CAMs, saves ~€133k
- 12U spacecraft (18 kg): 1,000 Ns, 46.2 m/s delta-v, adds 2.0 years + 30 CAMs, saves ~€174k
- Smallsat 100 kg: 3,900 Ns at 16 mN thrust, 39.8 m/s delta-v, adds 2.0 years, saves ~€342k